Cameron Calls for Cuts in the North East
Blog / April 24, 2010 / Comment now
David Cameron has finally let his mask slip on how he would deal with the economic downturn and has pinpointed the North East for cuts in public spending. Those who remember the last 18 years of Tory government will not be surprised that we in the North East are the last thing on the mind of the Tory leader. According to David Cameron public spending in the North East is too high and a Tory administration would squeeze the public sector because he believes “the size of the state has got too big” in some regions.
Over the last 13 years there has been significant investment across East Durham. The Tory leader does not seem to understand that much of the investment here has been focused on encouraging new trade and business in order to create jobs and ensure a more vibrant local economy. The North East Regional Development Agency, One North East, would have an uncertain future if the Tories were elected. One North East has been central to creating the right conditions for new businesses that are looking to move into the region such as the new Film Production Facility south of Seaham and the expansion of the GT Group in Peterlee, which is creating 200 new jobs over the next few years. Without government support over the last decade many new industries would not have considered the North East as a base. Just like the 1980s the Tories would be happier to see terminal decline in the regions outside of London and would do nothing to support ordinary people.
Labour’s Liam Byrne, the Chief Secretary to the Treasury, said:
“Alarmingly for regions outside London [David Cameron] claimed investment in the regions like the North- East was unsustainable, while at the same time saying that tax cuts for millionaires were sustainable.
Employment figures published earlier this week show just how vital it is to keep up support for jobs and the economy this year until the recovery is secure. To withdraw this support would threaten the recovery and put jobs, especially in the North East, at risk. It is vital that we continue to support the economy now. To follow the Tory plan and withdraw support would threaten the recovery and put the economy and jobs at risk. The most recent unemployment figures show a rise of 43,000 in the ILO measure of overall unemployment in the quarter to February, after falls in previous months, confirming Labour’s argument that it is too soon to cut support for jobs and the economy. The March figures for the numbers on unemployment benefit fell by 33,000 – the third consecutive drop – and the claimant count is now 84,000 lower than the peak in October last year.
The youth claimant count for March fell by 12,200 – the fifth consecutive month in a row, and the number of young people unemployed more than 6 months also fell – showing that Labour’s youth guarantee is making a difference. Whereas in the past a generation was lost to unemployment without any support from government, Labour is committed to giving young people skills, work experience and paid employment opportunities during the difficult economic times to ensure they best placed to find good jobs in the future.
